I don’t think blogs are in any danger of moving out. There will always be a need for long-form, reflective writing. While it is certainly more convenient and energizing to communicate via Twitter, Facebook, Friendfeed, and the like, there are times when I need to step back and examine my thoughts in a private space. Blogs can provide that and at the same time provide an open space for further discussion. Viva la blog!

@Marion & Elizabeth – I am also (just barely) under 30 myself, so that was definitely a bit of a prod. I’m glad to see it worked. Though, it might be that the librarian crowd is a bit different than the “average under-30″ person. But you both make good points about how blogs can be highly relevant in terms of functionality — either to promote fund raising from a broad range of readers (who probably aren’t all subscribed over facebook), or working around random censorship walls.

I use facebook and twitter, but I mostly stick with blogs and RSS feeds because almost all forms of social networking are blocked at work, which is where I do the majority of my keeping up with news. So, for me, blogs are still very relevant, and are the only way I can stay in touch with the outside world at work.

Like you, I aggregate my favorite blogs and cartoons using google Reader. I’ve been doing this for a while, but only recently have I noticed that many of the writers and cartoonists I follow are actually making a living at what they’re doing. More and more of those artists have been able to chuck their “day jobs” and become full time bloggers and artists. Proving that people are willing to pay for the content they like–the woman who writes Hyperbole and a Half just paid off an emergency room visit with donations from her followers. Many other artists provide the content for free, but pay the rent by selling books and merchandise.

I think blogs and cartoons are not only relevant and an excellent way to find news (or entertainment), but they’re creating a new economy all their own.

And I’m not even over 30!

Personally, I get most of the feeds through Outlook’s RSS reader – although one of our number has set up a netvibes page to capture and list all the blogs in one spot. One or two I subscribe to by email.

In all, I currently subscribe to over 30 blogs, either library or technology related (and one or two pure personal interest such as http://www.52suburbs.com – a wonderful Sydney based photo essay blog.

I love the ‘nowness’ of blogs. I get to see and hear what my contemporaries in my industry think about the same issues I am facing. I get ideas and valuable information and links from blogs such as Prof Hacker, In The Library With the Lead Pipe and the notes on the podcasting blog Adventures in Library Instruction.